Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	$ 368,131	$ 365,640
Total revenue	382,359	380,196
Operating income (loss)	1,579	36,338
Interest expense	4,131	4,261
(Loss) earnings before income taxes	(2,552)	32,077
Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	14,228	14,556
Flavors & Fragrances [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	204,120	206,996
Total revenue	213,379	215,841
Operating income (loss)	29,939	28,406
Interest expense	0	0
(Loss) earnings before income taxes	29,939	28,406
Flavors & Fragrances [Member] | Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	9,259	8,845
Color [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	128,669	123,783
Total revenue	133,638	129,479
Operating income (loss)	29,407	26,683
Interest expense	0	0
(Loss) earnings before income taxes	29,407	26,683
Color [Member] | Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	4,969	5,696
Corporate & Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	35,342	34,861
Total revenue	35,342	34,876
Operating income (loss)	(57,767)	(18,751)
Interest expense	4,131	4,261
(Loss) earnings before income taxes	(61,898)	(23,012)
Corporate & Other [Member] | Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 0	$ 15